The Republic of Ireland suffered penalty heartache in their World Cup play-off semi-final against Czechia on Thursday night after throwing away a two-goal lead in Prague
Republic of Ireland fans have taken to social media to demand an investigation into a ‘siren noise’ during their penalty shootout loss against Czechia. The Boys in Green lost the shootout in Prague following a 2-2 draw.
Things had started in the perfect way for Heimir Hallgrimsson’s men took an early 2-0 lead through Troy Parrott and an own goal from Czechia goalkeeper Matej Kovar. However, goals from Patrik Schick and Ladislav Krejci saw the hosts level the game.
With extra time unable to separate the two teams, it was down to a penalty shootout. While Parrott, Adam Idah and Robbie Brady scored their penalties, Kovar made up for his earlier own goal by saving spot kicks from Finn Azaz and Alan Browne.
Four of Czechia’s five penalty takers found the back of the net, seeing their side through to the play-off final. The loss dashed Ireland’s hopes of featuring in this summer’s World Cup finals.
Taking to social media during and after the penalty shootout, Ireland supporters pointed out a loud siren noise that could be heard during the shootout, with some suggesting it was even a deliberate ploy from the home side to put their players off. One wrote: “So the ambulance siren only happens when we’re taking our penalties?!?!!!!”
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“I’m not a bitter man, but I hope the Czechs and their police siren guy have a miserable miserable experience in the second round. Also, that they meet a referee who is willing and able to book them,” a second said.
A third fan posted: “FIFA need to investigate the Czech v Republic game. Every time an Ireland player stepped forward for a pen a siren of some kind went off. Absolute farce.”
“So when’s the investigation going to be done into the siren that Czech fans kept setting off when Ireland were taking their penalties??” wrote a social media user.
There were more demands for FIFA to look further into the incident, with another fan posting: “There has to be an investigation into that penalty shootout, the Czechs playing a loud siren every time the Irish took their pen is disgraceful!”
“Can’t believe we’ve lost that. The better side overall with by far the better chances,” a sixth fan wrote. “Should be an investigation into that siren during the Ireland penalties too.”
A seventh said: “The Czech cheated, pausing before the pens were kicked to see where the goalie was going and then blaring a siren when Ireland were taking their pens to distract them.”
Czechia will take on Denmark in their World Cup qualifiers play-off final on Tuesday night, with the winners of the game booking a spot for the finals of the tournament in North America.
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